“Vaseline” comment sparks controversy at Maine State House

There is more controversy in Augusta on Thursday following comments Gov. Paul LePage made about a state Democratic senator from Aroostook County.

Thursday morning, LePage held a rally at the State House saying he would veto the two-year state budget compromise deal approved by lawmakers last week.

The governor said he wants to meet with lawmakers to come up with a better plan. He also wants a 60-day extension of the budget to avoid a shutdown.

Afterward, Sen. Troy Jackson gave the Democrats' response to the governor's proposal. Jackson said LePage hasn't wanted to work with them and that Thursday's event was a last-ditch effort for him to get his way.

When LePage was asked about the Democrats' response, he said, "Sen. Jackson claims to be for the people, but he's the first one to give it to the people without providing Vaseline."

LePage added, "He is bad. He has no brains, and he has a black heart."

The governor said he was upset that the budget process was playing out this way.

When WMTW News 8's Paul Merrill asked the governor if he knew these comments would be viewed as offensive by some people, he replied, "Good. It ought to, because I've been taking it for two years."

WMTW News 8 is waiting for reaction from Democrats to the governor's comments.

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